After a 2 year sabbatical for my MTech, I joined back my old workplace on 1st September. Ideally, I would have loved to wait for a few more days before joining, but there was no point in delaying the inevitable. These first few weeks at work I felt quite strange...quite out-of-place, a sense of losing freedom. I had to report to work by 08:30 and couldn't leave my workplace when I felt bored. In addition, numerous restrictions on accessing the Internet made life more miserable. Another reason may be that I was missing Ubuntu / Linux at my work desktop. After all, during the last 2 years of MTech I had hardly used Microsoft Windows at all.
Then, I recollected a similar feeling when I had joined MTech. That is when I had blogged this post titled "Feels like jail". And then suddenly I felt there was hope. Maybe if I could just persist over the feeling, it would eventually die down. Let's see how this works out.
Showing posts with label acads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acads. Show all posts
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Convo over...
Its official...the "Master of Technology" degree was conferred on me by the IIT Bombay in its 46th Convocation ceremony held on 08.08.08, in its golden jubilee year. The chief guest was the President of India (Smt. Pratiba Patil).
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Yipee! its over...
By the grace of the Supreme Lord and all the other Gods, Goddesses, saints and gurus, I have successfulky completed the MTech programme at IITB.
My MTech thesis defense is over, and I'm glad to say that its finally over. A few formalities including the convocation remain, but otherwise there should be no problems.
The 2-year stint at IITB comes to an end. The time was spent nicely, and it really helped me a lot. Lots of points jotted down - may result in a book some day...
The interesting part was my CPI (Cumulative Point Index)...in the end, my CPI stands at about 9.8987, which is truly surprising.
The next few weeks I intend to rest, as well as finish some of the pending work on the system I was working on. It'll be only after the convocation that I'll be resuming my earlier job (hopefully).
A few final points in this post: a lot of heartfelt gratitude towards my guide, Prof. Abhiram Ranade, also the head of the Dept. of Comp. Science and Engg., IITB. Although he was the head, he always found time to talk to his students. I think he always believed that the world's most complex problems always have the most simple solutions. And, while I was busy conjuring up useless solutions to my project's problems, he would, in one swipe - one single math formula - state the solution, and be done. The beauty is in the simplicity of his solutions. Another point worth mentioning is his simple lifestyle. In almost 2 years of association with him, I did not find him talk on a cellphone (which probably he does not own). He does not seem to own a vehicle either. Did I mention that he was among the recipients of IIT Bombay's "Excellence in Teaching Awards"? More about my guide in a separate post later...
Until then, its party time!
My MTech thesis defense is over, and I'm glad to say that its finally over. A few formalities including the convocation remain, but otherwise there should be no problems.
The 2-year stint at IITB comes to an end. The time was spent nicely, and it really helped me a lot. Lots of points jotted down - may result in a book some day...
The interesting part was my CPI (Cumulative Point Index)...in the end, my CPI stands at about 9.8987, which is truly surprising.
The next few weeks I intend to rest, as well as finish some of the pending work on the system I was working on. It'll be only after the convocation that I'll be resuming my earlier job (hopefully).
A few final points in this post: a lot of heartfelt gratitude towards my guide, Prof. Abhiram Ranade, also the head of the Dept. of Comp. Science and Engg., IITB. Although he was the head, he always found time to talk to his students. I think he always believed that the world's most complex problems always have the most simple solutions. And, while I was busy conjuring up useless solutions to my project's problems, he would, in one swipe - one single math formula - state the solution, and be done. The beauty is in the simplicity of his solutions. Another point worth mentioning is his simple lifestyle. In almost 2 years of association with him, I did not find him talk on a cellphone (which probably he does not own). He does not seem to own a vehicle either. Did I mention that he was among the recipients of IIT Bombay's "Excellence in Teaching Awards"? More about my guide in a separate post later...
Until then, its party time!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
End of Sem 3...one more to go...
By the grace of the Supreme Lord and all the other Gods, Goddesses, saints and gurus, I have managed to pass comfortably semester 3 of the MTech programme.
I got much better grades in semester 3 compared to previous semesters. In fact, I cannot better the 10-point grade index that I got this semester.
Actually, the course-work for semester 3 was over by Novemeber 2007 end. But, officially, semester 3 also includes Stage 2 project evaluations that are held only in January. So, in a way, the semester 3 gets over only in mid-January. While the rest of the students were enjoying the MoodI (I don't know who enjoys MoodI, but that is material for another post), Christmas, and New Year, we were busy slogging it out in preparation for the project evaluation.
That brings to an end one of the busiest consecutive periods of intensive work. After a little rest, we head back to the grind for the (hopefully) final semester and the final stage of the project.
I got much better grades in semester 3 compared to previous semesters. In fact, I cannot better the 10-point grade index that I got this semester.
Actually, the course-work for semester 3 was over by Novemeber 2007 end. But, officially, semester 3 also includes Stage 2 project evaluations that are held only in January. So, in a way, the semester 3 gets over only in mid-January. While the rest of the students were enjoying the MoodI (I don't know who enjoys MoodI, but that is material for another post), Christmas, and New Year, we were busy slogging it out in preparation for the project evaluation.
That brings to an end one of the busiest consecutive periods of intensive work. After a little rest, we head back to the grind for the (hopefully) final semester and the final stage of the project.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
End of Sem 2...end of an year
By the grace of the Supreme Lord and all the other Gods, Goddesses, saints and gurus, I have managed to pass comfortably semester 2 of the MTech programme.
I got slightly better grades in semester 2 compared to semester 1.
Moving on to the next academic year, there's only one more course to be taken and the MTech Project. Hopefully, that will go off well too.
I got slightly better grades in semester 2 compared to semester 1.
Moving on to the next academic year, there's only one more course to be taken and the MTech Project. Hopefully, that will go off well too.
Monday, January 01, 2007
A new year...a new semester
The first day of the New Year is here and close on its heels is the start of the semester. Time again to slog it out for the next 4 months; time again for all the exams, quizzes, tests, reports, homeworks, assignments. Time again to choose courses (subjects) wisely.
Like many of the recent years, this New Year's eve too was no different for me...no celebrations and no partying for me. However, the eve fell on a Sunday...I went to ISKCON Juhu just to see what was the scene was all around along the way.
The wine shops were full of customers...some wine shops had opened "additional counters" so that they could service more customers at the same time. Those who did not want to spend money drinking in restaurants chose to buy the drink and consume it directly on the streets (the drinks wrapped in black plastic carry bags). Not to lose an opportunity, the "boiled-egg" vendors also positioned themselves close to these shops so that they could provide cheap snacks to such drinkers.
Those who had the money to spend chose to dress up in choicest (party) clothes and headed off to the party of their interest. Many of these would no doubt will still be in bed at the time I write this.
Like many of the recent years, this New Year's eve too was no different for me...no celebrations and no partying for me. However, the eve fell on a Sunday...I went to ISKCON Juhu just to see what was the scene was all around along the way.
The wine shops were full of customers...some wine shops had opened "additional counters" so that they could service more customers at the same time. Those who did not want to spend money drinking in restaurants chose to buy the drink and consume it directly on the streets (the drinks wrapped in black plastic carry bags). Not to lose an opportunity, the "boiled-egg" vendors also positioned themselves close to these shops so that they could provide cheap snacks to such drinkers.
Those who had the money to spend chose to dress up in choicest (party) clothes and headed off to the party of their interest. Many of these would no doubt will still be in bed at the time I write this.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Sem 1 results declared...
By the grace of the Supreme Lord and all the other Gods, Goddesses, saints and gurus, I have managed to pass comfortably semester 1 of the MTech programme.
After days of delay in declaring the results for one of the courses (aka subjects), the results for all the courses in Semester 1 have been declared. While the results for the other courses were out more than a week earlier, we had to wait for the results of one of the courses for at least a week. The big relief is that I have passed the semester. I also seemed to have accomplished my goal of "scoring well" early on to avoid hiccups later on. (A CPI of less than 6 at any point in the MTech programme at IITB will almost always result in being kicked out of IITB. That way, no one in an MTech programme at IITB can be a "5-point someone"...people will always be at least a "6-point everyones".)
My strategy of taking "easy" courses early on seemed to work. I can now look forward to taking "dangerous" courses later on without the fear of dipping below the 6-point mark.
After days of delay in declaring the results for one of the courses (aka subjects), the results for all the courses in Semester 1 have been declared. While the results for the other courses were out more than a week earlier, we had to wait for the results of one of the courses for at least a week. The big relief is that I have passed the semester. I also seemed to have accomplished my goal of "scoring well" early on to avoid hiccups later on. (A CPI of less than 6 at any point in the MTech programme at IITB will almost always result in being kicked out of IITB. That way, no one in an MTech programme at IITB can be a "5-point someone"...people will always be at least a "6-point everyones".)
My strategy of taking "easy" courses early on seemed to work. I can now look forward to taking "dangerous" courses later on without the fear of dipping below the 6-point mark.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
End of End Sems
Its been a fast paced period of 4 months...joining in July, the end sems ended yesterday. There's only a small project left to be done in the next few days. There's the vacation to look forward to. Also, time to catch up on all the other stuff. And above all to have fun...that's until the results are declared.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Mid-sems now over
Whoa...what a relief. The mid-sems are over and though I did not fare particularly well in any of the exams, it seems that I might scrape through. Given the fact that the weights attached the mid-sem exam scores vary, I might now have to depend on other forms of evaluation (quizzes, assignments, course projects, etc.).
Of course, my strategy was to get as good scores as possible in the mid-sems. The reason was simple: there are fewer topics during the mid-sems than the end-sems. Again, another strategy was to get "good" grades in the earlier semesters - there is always the danger of not being able to keep the required CPI later.
It seems to me that I am back to my old habits again - faring very nicely compared to others during minor tests and doing badly compared to them during the important exams. Anyways, it should not matter as long as I pass and keep the grades at the minimum required level.
Of course, my strategy was to get as good scores as possible in the mid-sems. The reason was simple: there are fewer topics during the mid-sems than the end-sems. Again, another strategy was to get "good" grades in the earlier semesters - there is always the danger of not being able to keep the required CPI later.
It seems to me that I am back to my old habits again - faring very nicely compared to others during minor tests and doing badly compared to them during the important exams. Anyways, it should not matter as long as I pass and keep the grades at the minimum required level.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Learning to "stay afloat"
A month has elapsed since the courses for MTech have begun. With so much of "load", it is quite difficult to get a break to do anything other than studies. Suprisingly, I haven't had to stay back in the hostel...I am still commuting to / from home. The mid-semester exams are just a few days away and the strategy is to just try and keep "afloat".
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Feels like "jail"
The first semester of the MTech course having begun, it seems unlikely to be able to be doing anything else other than studies. We are made to believe that the first semester is a "killer" one. From the experience in the past 2 weeks, it certainly seems to be so.
Let's hope there is some relief in the second semester.
Although I haven't started staying in the hostel room, it is on "stand-by"...so that I can use it at any day or night that I may have to spend there. That means that all things like bucket, mug, table lamp, spare clothes, mattress, etc. are in place.
Let's hope there is some relief in the second semester.
Although I haven't started staying in the hostel room, it is on "stand-by"...so that I can use it at any day or night that I may have to spend there. That means that all things like bucket, mug, table lamp, spare clothes, mattress, etc. are in place.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The joy of bicycling
I had always considered bicycling to be a pleasure. I used to use a bicycle to commute for the most part of my junior college days. Bicycling was also a favorite past time / exercise for many evenings during those days. Due to an incredible increase in traffic and decrease in traffic manners and tempers, I had to sell off the bicycle.
The joy returned again. The first few days at IITB seemed to be a pleasure bicycling around the campus on the new bicycle. Gone are the days of the past when running from one building to another or to / from the gate was a big tiring and boring task.
The joy, however, got reduced over the week as I took possession of a room in Hostel 6 (yes, I am now a "Hexalite" as the Hostel 6 residents are called).
Away from the main gate, deep into the campus, almost the end of the main road inside the IITB campus, lies Hostel 6. Only 2 hostels exist beyond it - the newer hostels 12 and 13 - that are very close to the Rennaisance Hotel. But, the problem is that the road from the main gate to the hostel (especially from my school to the hostel) is full of ups and downs (slopes). This resulted in quite a stressful activity just going and coming to / from the hostel. Hopefully I will get used to it as the time goes by and it won't be such a big problem. One got the feeling that having a bicycle with gears would have made it much more easier.
Of course, that does not take away the fear of panthers...
gosh, the logo of Hostel 6 has got what looks like a panther on it. Maybe its better to stay in the school than to venture out to go to the hostel beyond 9 p.m.
The joy returned again. The first few days at IITB seemed to be a pleasure bicycling around the campus on the new bicycle. Gone are the days of the past when running from one building to another or to / from the gate was a big tiring and boring task.
The joy, however, got reduced over the week as I took possession of a room in Hostel 6 (yes, I am now a "Hexalite" as the Hostel 6 residents are called).
Away from the main gate, deep into the campus, almost the end of the main road inside the IITB campus, lies Hostel 6. Only 2 hostels exist beyond it - the newer hostels 12 and 13 - that are very close to the Rennaisance Hotel. But, the problem is that the road from the main gate to the hostel (especially from my school to the hostel) is full of ups and downs (slopes). This resulted in quite a stressful activity just going and coming to / from the hostel. Hopefully I will get used to it as the time goes by and it won't be such a big problem. One got the feeling that having a bicycle with gears would have made it much more easier.
Of course, that does not take away the fear of panthers...
gosh, the logo of Hostel 6 has got what looks like a panther on it. Maybe its better to stay in the school than to venture out to go to the hostel beyond 9 p.m.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
"The bicycle has been bought"
After days of dilly-dallying, I've finally bought (well, almost) an used Avon bicyle from the "Red and White" bicycle shop inside IITB. It will cost me Rs. 1350 better than a new bicycle for about Rs. 2100 or above. This also signals the decision to join the MTech programme at IITB. The orientation programme starts tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll also get a hostel that I can stay at if it gets too late.
I had to spend a lot of energy just deciding whether to join or not. It was quite surprising that my entire family wanted me to join the programme. It seemed evident that my mother was quite sure that my high score at the GATE (examination) was just an accident and could not be obtained again.
Many others at my workplace stood by me and helped me take the decision. A few others felt that I should pursue my MBA and not MTech. Time alone will tell if my decision is right or wrong.
Meanwhile, wish me all the best.
I had to spend a lot of energy just deciding whether to join or not. It was quite surprising that my entire family wanted me to join the programme. It seemed evident that my mother was quite sure that my high score at the GATE (examination) was just an accident and could not be obtained again.
Many others at my workplace stood by me and helped me take the decision. A few others felt that I should pursue my MBA and not MTech. Time alone will tell if my decision is right or wrong.
Meanwhile, wish me all the best.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
End-sem exams over
The end-sem exams for this semester are now over. I can now move over to other things that I've been long postponing...like reading some books, learning some (computer) languages like TeX, visiting the UBL (Hubli) diesel loco shed (he, he...UBL has a stock of WDP4s - this is the currently the fastest running loco in India). Or buying that bicycle...:)
Many posts are languishing in the "draft" stage on this blog...maybe I'll find the time and interest to post some of them too.
Many posts are languishing in the "draft" stage on this blog...maybe I'll find the time and interest to post some of them too.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Time to buy a bicycle? Time to celebrate?
The news comes in a year late, but better late than never. After last year's attempt at admissions to the M.Tech. programme at IITB, I had applied again this year...and it seems (from the website) that I have been offered a "direct admission" (that is, without further written tests and interviews) to the M.Tech. programme. Maybe the guys had some pity on me (eh...in one of the part-time diploma courses (subjects), we had the same paper as the M.Tech. guys and I was the topper among all students).
That should put me into celeberation mode, but it also puts me in a big dilemma. I had always put off for later thinking about whether I should get into this or not - the logic was simple - let me first get the admission and then I could decide. No point in thinking about the chickens until the eggs hatched. There is also the question as to what happens to the diploma course that I had enrolled for in the same institute.
Unfortunately, there is not much of a time to do the thinking as the fees (the ones that confirm the admission) need to be paid by May 3rd. With end semester examinations looming on both sides of May 3, it is unlikely that I will find time to think about this.
The plan then, is to confirm the admissions and then pull out, if need be. And if I do end up joining, then it would be the right time to buy a bicycle (as "motorized vehicles are not allowed on the campus except for emergency purposes").
Just to make it clear: the admission that I am supposed to have got is in the KReSIT (School of IT) and not the CSE department. I know CS is different from IT (ya, ya...we always thought that IT was for the intellectually less capable guys who didn't get into CS). On the other hand, after working for so long in the industry, plain CS no longer seems that attractive to me the way it used to be (I've still not been able to read "The Art of Computer Programming" by Don Knuth).
That should put me into celeberation mode, but it also puts me in a big dilemma. I had always put off for later thinking about whether I should get into this or not - the logic was simple - let me first get the admission and then I could decide. No point in thinking about the chickens until the eggs hatched. There is also the question as to what happens to the diploma course that I had enrolled for in the same institute.
Unfortunately, there is not much of a time to do the thinking as the fees (the ones that confirm the admission) need to be paid by May 3rd. With end semester examinations looming on both sides of May 3, it is unlikely that I will find time to think about this.
The plan then, is to confirm the admissions and then pull out, if need be. And if I do end up joining, then it would be the right time to buy a bicycle (as "motorized vehicles are not allowed on the campus except for emergency purposes").
Just to make it clear: the admission that I am supposed to have got is in the KReSIT (School of IT) and not the CSE department. I know CS is different from IT (ya, ya...we always thought that IT was for the intellectually less capable guys who didn't get into CS). On the other hand, after working for so long in the industry, plain CS no longer seems that attractive to me the way it used to be (I've still not been able to read "The Art of Computer Programming" by Don Knuth).
Sunday, February 12, 2006
The Great GATE Grate
GATE 2006 was a nightmare for me. I had decided to take the exam again (after GATE 2005) in a bid to improve my score. Since the GATE scores are valid for a period of 2 years, the GATE 2005 score is still valid, but I thought I would try my luck again.
The prepraration to the exam was much below expectations (since I was busy with office work even on days that I had taken "leave" on). The exam itself was held today (12th Feb 2006) from 09:30 to 12:30. And, my performance is much below what I might have expected to be. However, not all is lost. GATE is a relative performance exam - it all depends on how poorly others fare. So, there is still hope.
Results will be out in a month...and if you do not hear about it on this site, you know that others have fared better.
The prepraration to the exam was much below expectations (since I was busy with office work even on days that I had taken "leave" on). The exam itself was held today (12th Feb 2006) from 09:30 to 12:30. And, my performance is much below what I might have expected to be. However, not all is lost. GATE is a relative performance exam - it all depends on how poorly others fare. So, there is still hope.
Results will be out in a month...and if you do not hear about it on this site, you know that others have fared better.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
K.O. at M.Tech. written test...
Bad luck strikes again!. The written test held for the M.Tech. admissions to IIT Bombay was a nightmare and I got K.O.ed out. Whereas the cut-off for the written test results were 55, I could only score 40 (thanks to negative marking).
Interestingly, if I had the damned sponsorship letter from the company that I work for, I would have been selected for the second round of test and interview. (The cut-off for sponsored candidates was 28.). But, that was not to be.
As if for consolation, I did get an admission to the PGDIIT course, but an M.Tech. is an M.Tech.. So, we now get ready for the next year's GATE. Hopefully, then I will score enough so that I get through the direct admissions.
My father was right. It ain't over, till its over.
The test itself was crazy. 60 objective questions to be answered in 120 minutes (2 minutes per question). But, most of the questions (especially the programs) were so long that it took over 2 minutes to just read each one of them. Looks like the guy setting the paper had all the time in the world to get the solution. If not, we have found another Einstein.
Interestingly, if I had the damned sponsorship letter from the company that I work for, I would have been selected for the second round of test and interview. (The cut-off for sponsored candidates was 28.). But, that was not to be.
As if for consolation, I did get an admission to the PGDIIT course, but an M.Tech. is an M.Tech.. So, we now get ready for the next year's GATE. Hopefully, then I will score enough so that I get through the direct admissions.
My father was right. It ain't over, till its over.
The test itself was crazy. 60 objective questions to be answered in 120 minutes (2 minutes per question). But, most of the questions (especially the programs) were so long that it took over 2 minutes to just read each one of them. Looks like the guy setting the paper had all the time in the world to get the solution. If not, we have found another Einstein.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Bought "Computer Networks" by Andrew S. Tanenbaum
As stated earlier, I need to prepare myself for admission to the M. Tech. course. This may involve giving a written test with the syllabus including Computer Networks. Among the recommended books of study is the classic "Computer Networks" by Andrew S. Tanenbaum.
We also had this book as a reference for the Bachelor of Engineering course and it seemed to me that I could use the same book (which I had bought about 13 years ago). That was the second edition of the book.
I was at Matunga today and happened to pass by the place where there are a lot of book stores that sell text-books for all sorts of courses ("Shanti Book Depot", "Vimal Book Center", "Madhu Book Depot", etc.). I decided to check out the new edition of the book. To my surprise, the fourth edition of the book covered a host of different topics than we had in the second edition. This is also stated in the "Introduction" by Tanenbaum. There is a lot of coverage of "modern-day" topics like WLL, wireless networks, 2G and 3G, ADSL, Internet on Cable, etc.
I bought the book hoping that I could use it to prepare for the written test.
We also had this book as a reference for the Bachelor of Engineering course and it seemed to me that I could use the same book (which I had bought about 13 years ago). That was the second edition of the book.
I was at Matunga today and happened to pass by the place where there are a lot of book stores that sell text-books for all sorts of courses ("Shanti Book Depot", "Vimal Book Center", "Madhu Book Depot", etc.). I decided to check out the new edition of the book. To my surprise, the fourth edition of the book covered a host of different topics than we had in the second edition. This is also stated in the "Introduction" by Tanenbaum. There is a lot of coverage of "modern-day" topics like WLL, wireless networks, 2G and 3G, ADSL, Internet on Cable, etc.
I bought the book hoping that I could use it to prepare for the written test.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
GATE 2005 results declared
Yesterday (15th March 2005), the results for the GATE 2005 exam were declared. I had appeared for the exam and I could score 99.59 percentile with an All India Rank of 32.
I do not know how good this score is. It would seem that it is a good score at this point, but we shall know only when I am able to secure admission to the MTech course at IIT Bombay, Mumbai.
One of the funny things that happened was that after I had seen the result, I called up home to inform my father and told him the result. Instead of congratulating me, he wished me good luck. I was confused and then my father clarified that there may be only a limited number of seats for the MTech course and whatever the score only after securing an admission to the MTech course can we consider it to be a successful attempt.
Made sense to me...
I do not know how good this score is. It would seem that it is a good score at this point, but we shall know only when I am able to secure admission to the MTech course at IIT Bombay, Mumbai.
One of the funny things that happened was that after I had seen the result, I called up home to inform my father and told him the result. Instead of congratulating me, he wished me good luck. I was confused and then my father clarified that there may be only a limited number of seats for the MTech course and whatever the score only after securing an admission to the MTech course can we consider it to be a successful attempt.
Made sense to me...
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